<<Print>>

The Dutch footballing legend Johan Cruyff has sadly died aged 68 after a battle with cancer.

The former Barcelona and Ajax great – famed for his popular ‘Cruyff turn’ skill – was diagnosed with lung cancer in October.

His passing was announced on his website The World of Johan Cruyff, with a statement reading: "On March 24 2016 Johan Cruyff [68] died peacefully in Barcelona, surrounded by his family after a hard fought battle with cancer. It's with great sadness that we ask you to respect the family's privacy during their time of grief."

Cruyff captained Holland at the 1974 World Cup at the height of his playing career and led the Oranje to the final, which they ultimately lost 2-1 to West Germany.

He made his name at Dutch giants Ajax, where he won seven league titles but most notably three consecutive European Cups from 1971 to 1973.

Celebrated Ajax manager Rinus Michels, who pioneered the highly successful Total Football system, went to Barcelona in 1971 and Cruyff followed him two years later. He won the league and Spanish Cup titles at the Nou Camp.

Cruyff was also a three-time winner of the Ballon d'Or award, taking the award in 1971, 1973 and 1974. At the time, the award recognised the best player in Europe, rather than worldwide as it is today.

He turned his remarkable football brian to management following his playing career, managing former club Ajax from 1985 to 1988, and then, just as in his playing career, Cruyff was lured away by Barcelona.

At the Nou Camp he won the 1992 European Cup and four league titles among a raft of trophies. During his time at the club he underwent major heart surgery in 1991, which prompted him to stop smoking.

He was sacked by Barcelona in 1995 but remained influential and well loved at the club for the rest of his life.

The Dutch football association led tributes to the true football great, posting on Twitter: "With great sadness we have learned of the death of Johan Cruyff. Words are not enough."